With the first week back at school coming to an end, get your weekend planned early and have a look at our things to do with the family around Suffolk and north Essex.

A group of visitors attend the 200-year-old structure of Martello Tower in Felixstowe as part of a previous Heritage Open Day. Picture: SU ANDERSON

Heritage Open Days, Suffolk and north Essex

September 7-10

The annual nationwide Heritage Open Days will begin this Thursday and run through until Sunday. There will be properties opening their doors all across Suffolk and north Essex, allowing visitors to get an insight into their local history. For details on where will be taking part in the opens days in Suffolk and Essex, please follow the links.

OVO Energy Tour of Britain, Aldeburgh September 8

If you haven’t already heard, stage six of the triumphant cycling race, Tour of Britain, will be battling through the roads of Suffolk and crossing the finish line in Aldeburgh High Street.

The Tattingstone Village Fete and Dog Show returns this Saturday. Picture: LUCY TAYLOR

Take the family on a stroll through the Brandon Country Park, where you will be on the look out for the wildlife of the night.

Visitors are advised to wear sturdy footwear, as well as something to wrap up warm in as the summer nights are coming to an end. This is suitable for anyone aged seven and over, tickets cost £10 each and includes parking, a hot drink and a slice of cake to finish the evening, booking is essential.

Have you ever been mowing your lawn and wondered how quick you could get it round a track? Well you can find out at the lawnmower racing at Blake House Craft Centre this weekend. Witness the spectacular racers battle it out at top speed in the Essex heat, and enjoy the barbecue, side-shows and more they have to offer. Admission is free and spectators are welcome from 10am, with the racing taking place between 1pm-5pm – all proceeds go to Essex Air Ambulance.

Take the family to see Brandon Country Park after-dark this weekend and be on the look out for all the local wildlife. Picture: ANDREW MUTIMER

Perfect for the little-ones, Mr Bean Entertainments’ Circus Petite is returning after a successful tour last year. The family-focused circus from Ipswich offers an intimate 90 minutes of fun and laughter for everyone, performing acts such a rope walking, fire displays, juggling, hula-hooping and funny antics from Justo the Clown.

Lawnmower racers whip around a track behind Blake House Craft Centre in Braintree during a fundraiser for Essex Air Ambulance. Picture: SU ANDERSON

September 10

Take part in the five kilometre family fun run that combines eating doughnuts with raising money for Kidney Research UK. The course around the picturesque Castle Park and Gardens begins at 11.30am and you can complete it at your own pace, while stopping for a tasty treat after every kilometre – if only every run included that. To register it is £16 and there are also mini races available for the little ones.

A ward councillor concerned about the closure of one of Ipswich’s largest care homes has said she is “puzzled” by the lack of demand for its services – as fellow health leaders claim they are seeing a spike in older people needing care, not a fall.